It doesn't matter if someone is sleeping or just pretending, you need to be quiet around him for the sake of politeness, he will wake up and rise when he is ready. However, there are a few tricks you can use to find out if your child is secretly not going to sleep, and a few other things to do in a potential emergency situation when someone is unresponsive.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using the Subtle Way
Step 1. Pay attention to the eyelids
The eyelids of a sleeping person are gently closed, not tightly closed. During REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the eyes can be seen moving under the eyelids in short, rapid movements. REM sleep usually doesn't occur until 90 minutes after falling asleep, and only lasts 10 to 60 minutes. So although a person with rapid eye movements can almost certainly be asleep, but calm eyes can not be concluded anything.
Step 2. Observe the breath
People who are sleeping breathe more regularly, somewhat more slowly than people who are awake. There are some exceptions, such as people who dream and have sleep apnea, who breathe in a more irregular pattern. People who pretend to be asleep almost always try to imitate a slow, regular pattern of breathing, but because it requires concentration, the pattern often changes within minutes.
Step 3. Flick the top cheek
Flick your index or middle finger with your thumb to the top of the sleeping person's cheek. Repeat two or three times. If you see his eyes twitch in response, he's not sleeping. As with many tests like this, the sensation of discomfort can lead a pretender to admit to his own deception.
Flicking his fingers in front of his eyes or brushing his eyelashes with a finger can elicit the same reaction
Step 4. Check for signs out of the ordinary
Most people have a bedtime ritual, at least turning off the lights, changing into their night clothes, and getting into bed. Unless you're very tired or overslept, it's almost impossible to sleep fully clothed in a living room with the lights on.
If you were around the person before he went to sleep, try to remember if he brushed his teeth, had a bedtime snack, or completed any of his normal rituals
Method 2 of 2: Testing a Person's Status in a Potential Emergency Situation
Step 1. Start with the sound and gently shake her body
If you find someone who appears to be asleep on the floor or in an uncomfortable position, or suspects a dangerous injury to their health, medical condition, or drug abuse, don't hesitate to disturb their sleep. Speak loudly and shake the shoulder gently. If he doesn't respond, call for medical help or try one of the tests below for no more than a minute.
If the person reacts but is not acting normally, ask him to wiggle his fingers and open his eyes. If he can't do that, it means he needs medical attention
Step 2. Drop his hands on his face
Gently lift one hand and hold it a few inches above his face, then release. If the person is not sleeping he will usually flinch or move his elbows so his hands don't land on his face. People who are serious about pretending can also remain silent when tested like this.
If this doesn't work but you're still suspicious, start again by raising your hand 15 cm. This time, keep your hands a few inches above his face, so you can catch his hands if they fall straight down
Step 3. Know when to just let it go
When someone is already in an ambulance or hospital bed, and their status is generally known, you don't need to "prove" whether they are faking it. Get a professional check-up for signs of danger; if there are no signs of danger, let the person continue to pretend to be asleep until the doctor requires him to wake up.
In non-urgent hospital situations like mealtimes or non-urgent tests, try using verbal cues like, "Bob, you've never had a tube down anyone's throat before, have you? Want to try it with this patient?"
Step 4. Use sternal rub only when necessary
This technique can be painful or uncomfortable, and many emergency medical personnel prefer to try the above methods first to maintain goodwill with the patient. If nothing else works and you are concerned about the person's health, place your knuckle in the center of the chest, along the sternum. Rub up and down until it reacts, or for 30 seconds.
- Try it on yourself first to find out how much pressure it takes; it doesn't take a lot of pressure to cause discomfort.
- Since it takes 30 seconds, this method is not recommended in very emergency situations.
Step 5. Choose a quick and painless method in an emergency
When emergency medical personnel need to know a patient's status immediately, they use one of the following methods. These methods can cause significant pain and discomfort, and should not be used unless there is an immediate need for information, even if the patient is "obviously" faking it.
- Trapezius pinch: Grasp the muscles at the base of the neck with your thumb and forefinger. Play as you watch and hear the response.
- Supraorbital pressure: Locate the bone above one eye, and press down on its center with the tip of your thumb while watching and listening. Always press in an upward motion towards the forehead, never down towards the eyes.
Tips
When checking on your child, try turning off the lights and moving the electronic game or TV remote to the other end of the room or to another room. Check ten minutes later to see if the child has turned on the light or picked up the toy again
Warning
- In a potential emergency situation, wake everyone up no matter what.
- If you've never tried a physical technique before, start small. If you leave a mark on the person, you are either too rude or too long.
